Medicare Under 65
Medicare is a government-sponsored healthcare program that is designed for those who are at least 65 years old, but there are some exceptions. An individual may qualify for Medicare under 65 if they have certain medical disabilities or diseases. Kaiser Family Foundation data shows that 15 percent of all Medicare recipients are under age 65. And as of 2020, 62.7 million Americans were registered for Medicare. This means over nine million Americans qualify for Medicare benefits under 65.
Disability
If you can prove that you have a disability, and this has prevented you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This will, in turn, also qualify you for Medicare automatically. However, it takes a long process to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. And even after getting approved, you are required to wait for at least 24 months before your Medicare benefits can start.
You can also qualify for Medicare after you have received benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board for 24 months. To be eligible for Medicare due to disability, you must have qualified for Social Security benefits or be a spouse or dependent child of someone who has.
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
You can get Medicare at any age if you have End-Stage Renal Disease. ESRD is permanent kidney damage that may require a kidney transplant or regular kidney dialysis. However, before you can get Medicare coverage, you need to meet one of the following conditions:
- You are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.
- You have worked for a required period, or
- You are a dependent or spouse of someone who is qualified for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits or has worked the required time.
If you register for Medicare and you are on dialysis, your coverage will usually begin on the first day of the 4th month of your treatment. However, you are not automatically enrolled for Medicare, even when you qualify, so you need to contact Social Security to enroll.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Those that have ALS can automatically qualify for Medicare the month their Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits start. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive disease that usually requires support for nutrition, breathing, and mobility. So, anyone that qualifies because of ALS will generally be eligible for the rest of their life.
For more information on how to be eligible for Medicare while under 65, contact Simple Retirement Benefits today.
